HYDERABAD, Sept 22: The decision to award the PPP ticket to Makhdoom Fazal Hussain for PS-44 Matiari is viewed by many to erode a considerable amount of votes from the Makhdooms’ final score in the October polls.

Makhdoom Amin Faheem, the chairman of the People’s Party Parliamentarians, is contesting for the seat of NA-218, Hyderabad-I.

According to reports, the PPP high command had decided to award ticket to Pir Amir Ali Hashmi, the son of the former PPP MPA, Pir Noor Shah, for PS-44, Matiari. However, Faheem put his foot down and awarded the ticket to Makhdoom Fazal Hussain as a quid pro quo for withdrawing his candidature from NA-218 and PS-43, from where Fahim’s son Jamiluzzaman is contesting the election.

This has dealt a blow to the PPP as the Hashmis hold a lot of sway in Matiari. They have not openly rebelled against the party but their disgruntled supporters are very angry and at least for the present are rallying support for the PML-F candidate, Syed Jalal Shah, who is contesting from PS-44.

A large number of the candidates, including Hussain, filed their nomination papers from NA-218 against the PPP chairman, Faheem, but none of them has any chance of winning the seat.

Faheem, in his zest to return unopposed, set to work and persuaded many contestants to withdraw their candidatures.

The withdrawal of Hussain from NA-218 did not serve this purpose as the three other candidates are still in the field against Faheem. They are Syed Shahabuddin Shah Hussaini (PML-Q) Peeral Majidano (PPP-SB) and Rasool Bukhsh Memon (MQM-A).

It will be very surprising if Majidano and Memon cross three digits in number of votes they secure. While Memon is just a “sacrificial goat”, Majidano has been nominated by the PPP-SB not to give a walk over to Fahim.

However, Shah wields a lot of influence in Matiari. He is also contesting from NA-221 and concentrating on this constituency.

He told this scribe on Saturday that he was equally serious for NA-218 seat against Faheem.

If the Syeds of Matiari taluka, including the powerful Jamote family, forge unity, Faheem is in for trouble.

Hussain has already met Noor Shah to solicit his support but he has refused to extend his support.

He is reported to have said that he will take a final decision in the matter after meeting Faheem.

The Makhdoom Family of Hala has been virtually ruling over Hala sub- division and a part of Matiari. The area has remained a stronghold of the PPP since the day it was founded.

However, it appears that this time the Makhdooms will have to approach the people for votes for a change.